By Claire Newfeld
Next school year, Tempe Prep families will still have to listen to those Tax Credit speeches, only from a different person. Mr. Hallman, headmaster of Tempe Prep since 2009, will be leaving the position at the end of this school year. During his tenure, he has contributed much to this institution, including the recently rebuilt 400 building. He truly loves our school and firmly believes in Socratic teaching and the Tempe Prep mission. We are grateful for his efforts and wish him luck in his future endeavors.
With Mr. Hallman departing, the search has begun for a suitable replacement. The Headmaster Search Subcommittee, comprised of Board Members Dr. Stuart Newfeld, Mr. Richard Foreman, and Mr. Trevor Bush, and Faculty Member Mr. Ron Bergez, began accepting applications March 15, and will continue to accept them until the position is permanently filled. Applications for a one-year position are also being accepted.
High qualifications are necessary for becoming headmaster at Tempe Prep. The headmaster should have experience in the classroom, a love for the liberal arts, and skills in budgeting and academic administration. In addition, the potential headmaster must have at least a master’s degree and be ready to face the rigors of leading the school forward in the coming years.
Many students don’t really understand the varied duties of a headmaster. As lead administrator, the headmaster must interact with the Board of Directors and the Arizona Department of Education, along with going through the rigorous process of budget and board meetings and adhering closely to Tempe Prep’s mission. Also, the position entails more than simply administration. The headmaster must also be the lead educator, and so he or she must supervise and evaluate all faculty and staff, conduct regular faculty meetings, and enforce disciplinary measures as stated in the Faculty and Family Handbooks.
The headmaster will also be the public face of Tempe Prep and must represent TPA wisely. The headmaster will have to communicate regularly with parents and faculty, set enrollment procedures for new student admissions, and lead various fundraising programs. The job demands time, effort, and skill to lead Tempe Prep to further success.
Following the same procedure that selected Mr. Hallman several years ago, the Subcommittee will review the applications and choose semi-finalists. These candidates will be asked to provide a written response to a series of questions regarding their views on the liberal arts, leadership principles, and also their backgrounds in fiscal administration in an academic setting. Finalists will be chosen by the Board of Directors.
They will be invited to an interview with the Board and with the community in both private and public settings. At last, after this careful and detailed search, the Board will choose a new headmaster.